Monday, April 18, 2011

Today I welcome author Emma Lai who will talk about herself and her current release. Plus she has a prize for one lucky commenter.

Today I welcome author Emma Lai who will talk about herself and her current release. Plus she has a prize for one lucky commenter.

Welcome Emma, tell us a little about yourself.

I am the mother of an active toddler (19 months), who keeps me on my feet 16 hours a day. When I manage to find time, I write. While I write romances predominantly I also dabble in science-fiction, fantasy, horror and young adult.

What do like the most and the least about writing?

Mostly I like putting stories out that will help others in some way, whether by allowing them to escape for a few minutes or hours or by explaining the world in new ways.

Least is a tie between edits and promotion. Edits because who really likes to see their work picked at in minute detail. Promotion because of the time it takes away from writing--though I do love chatting with readers and other authors. Often times it’s my only contact with other adults.

Give us a peek into your latest published work?

After several disastrous engagements, Lady Minerva Peters is an expert at suppressing her own needs. Only in the darkness of night does she give in to her wanton desires with a fantasy lover.

In the middle of a crowded ballroom, she learns her father is not yet ready to let her fade into spinsterhood. Humiliated, she ducks into a dark alcove only to find out she's not alone. Her hiding spot is occupied by a captivating stranger. Before she can escape, the two become voyeurs to another couple’s sexual rendezvous. The atmosphere heats up and so does her body, especially with the tempting offers whispered in her ear.

Will Minerva deny her needs once again or will she embrace the anonymity of their seclusion and finallyexplore her basic impulses and the startling attraction to the compelling mystery man?

What’s next on the writing horizon for you?

I’m polishing a contemporary erotic. After that I’m not sure. I have three other contemporary erotics near completion. No pun intended. However, I’ve been feeling the pull to write a horror. We’ll see when I actually get a moment to stare at a blank page.

Is there anything you want to tell readers?

Leave me a comment with your favorite plot to be entered for an electronic copy of Twice is Not Enough.

Here's an excerpt of Twice is Not Enough:

inspired by the Markhams’ passionate display. Through her skirts, she pressed her palm against the magic spot hidden between the outer lips of her core. A gush of moisture answered.

“Would you like some assistance?”

She jumped. How could she have forgotten the presence of her shadow? Anger at her forgetfulness and the slight humor in his voice swept away her embarrassment. She let her hand fall to her side, straightened her shoulders, and raised her chin.

She needed to remove the temptation facing her, but it wasn’t as if she could interrupt the Markhams now. She slid a step to the side in an effort to end her view of the amorous tryst, but the alcove wasn’t deep enough. If she could just take a few steps back…but no. The man behind her prevented it.

Two hands grasped her hips and hauled her against the hard body at her back. Shock held her immobile.How dare he manhandle me! Who does this stranger think he is?

A picture of her fantasy lover popped to mind. Would it be wrong to pretend her shadow was the object of her fantasies? Her traitorous body relaxed into the broad chest at her back. Heat pooled in her belly in response to the firm thighs and distinct bulge of an aroused male member nudging her bottom.

“I can help.” A hand journeyed upward, from her hip, to her arm, to her shoulder with only the lightest of contact, but yet even that slight touch sent tingles darting along her skin.

She tensed, but inside, her body pulsed at the promise in his voice. The suggestive words murmured in her ear had moisture dripping down her passage. Her thighs became slick with her need. If she took him up on his offer, she could discover for herself if reality surpassed fantasy.

A thumb massaged her collarbone, and fingers teased the tops of her breasts. “No one has to know. It’s just you and me.”

Monday, April 11, 2011

Lacey Magerin never expected her husband of twenty years to leave her for a twenty-two year old. She never expected her fifteen-year-old daughter to blame her for the divorce. Lacey also never expected Shayne Donnelly. The NHL goalie is her brother’s best friend and is ten years younger than her. Neither of them know the rules in this new game but that’s not stopping either of them from playing or finding love in the least likely place – on home ice.

EXCERPT:

Lacey’s heart galloped in her chest as he approached. He crouched down and brushed his fingers over her ankles. She gripped his shoulder as she shifted her balance. He gazed up at her as he palmed one stiletto off then set her foot down. Hands caressed slowly up her leg, moved to the other then stroked down. She lifted her left foot and the shoes were history.

He moved to his knees, his face level with her stomach as he idly ran his fingers up and down her legs.

“Why am I nervous?”

He slid his hands up under the jacket, caressed her ass then down to her ankles. Up and down, slow, measured strokes. “Because everything changes now. Now we’re two people. A man wanting a woman, a woman wanting a man. The minute I slide into your body, I become your lover, not your kid brother’s friend.” His fingers curled and he drew her panties down, his fingers still managing to caress her. He had calluses from the game and they rasped over her skin with a sensual texture. She lifted one foot then the other. “It all changes now, Lacey,” he said and lowered his mouth to her.

She cried out, dropping her hands to clutch his head as his tongue licked over her. He licked slowly, indulging himself. “Shayne.” She gripped him as the tip of his tongue slipped between the damp folds and sought out her clit. “Shayne!” Her knees buckled and he moved her to the bed.

She sank onto her back as he spread her legs wide, opening her up and making room for those shoulders of his.

“Pretty pussy,” he said before he lowered his head and pressed an open mouth kiss over her. She cried out, arching up as he proceeded to feast on her. He sucked, he licked, and he slid his tongue into her. She bowed, screaming when he bit her clit.

Holy God. What was he doing?

He bit her thigh, caressed her leg then returned to the promise he had made earlier. He dined on her pussy. Lips, tongue, teeth. They were everywhere. Her eyes snapped open she felt his tongue slowly circle lower. Never, ever, ever.

“When I said I was going to fuck you everywhere, Lace?” A finger replaced his tongue. “I meant it. Even here.”

God, she thought as his mouth returned to her pussy, tongue boldly thrusting as his finger lightly brushed over the soft skin at her ass. “Shayne!” His fingertip eased in and she felt his mouth move as cream spilled from her. The minute stretching was as disconcerting as him putting his finger there.Never, ever, ever,she thought,has anyone done this.His hand caressed down her leg then he lifted her foot to his shoulder.

A soft kiss was pressed at the curve of her knee and then he lifted her leg over his head, rolling her onto her stomach. “This ass,” he said with a little awe, his hands pushing up the jacket. “This luscious ass.”

Lying on her stomach, she propped herself up on her elbows and gazed at the man staring at her ass like it was the most amazing thing he had seen. Kevin had called it her bubble butt, had made her work the stairmaster in an attempt to deflate it. Hadn’t worked. Her ass was her ass. “Luscious?”

“Plump and ripe.” He met her gaze as he bit one cheek hard. She gasped, her back arching at the sensation. His eyes gleamed as he reached up and tugged on the back of his jacket. She sank down and let him strip it away. She rose once more, needing to see him.

“Fuck, Lace.” He caressed up her legs, over her bum, up her back then down. When he stood up, he lifted her legs, scooting her forward to rest her knees on the bed. The joys of strength. “Sweet God,” he whispered as his hand glided over her ass then down to her pussy.

She sank down, shuddering out a sigh as he caressed her with one hand. His other hand was coasting over her ass. His eyebrows rose and fell right before he delivered a loud, hard slap to a cheek. She cried out at the sensation, her hands fisting on the sheets. Holy hell, what was the man doing to her?

She felt herself spill over his fingers from the spank. He grabbed her and tossed her easily so she was on her back. She bounced twice before he was lying on her, his mouth claiming hers.

Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him close while her hands discovered how wide his shoulders were. “Naked, Shayne. Get naked. I want to see you.” He rose up on his knees and she watched in delighted horror as he grabbed the front of his silk shirt and ripped it open. God, he was hard everywhere. Muscles carved his flesh, dark hair covered his chest before disappearing behind his cummerbund. She scrambled onto her knees, her hands exploring all that tanned skin. He struggled out of the ruined shirt that looked like it cost the same as one of Kayla’s courses.

Had she ever been this hungry for a man?

Considering her sexual experience was the sum total of Kevin until tonight, the answer was an easy no.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Honky Tonk Hearts Lonely hearts seem to gravitate to the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk. Owner and bartender, Gus Rankin, has seen his share of the wandering souls cross his bar and dance floor over the years—he'd even like to think he helped a few find true love along the way.Submission Information: Word count: 20,000-40,000One pivotal scene MUST take place at the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk. This could be the hero and heroine's first meeting, the black moment, big finale, a scene where important information is divulged or an important realization is made etc. Other than the above requirement, your story can be anything and anywhere within the genre of contemporary cowboys. It can take place from Texas to Alberta, Alaska to Australia. Wherever a cowboy rides, works, plays or competes could be the setting for your story as long as at some important point, their hearts cross the threshold of the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk. Whether your hero's truck breaks down near the honky tonk, friends take your heroine there for a good time, or either one stop for a break on a long journey, the possibilities for this series are endless and we are excited to see where you as authors can take a couple of honky tonk hearts. Honky Tonk Hearts will be a limited series of 12 to 15 contracted stories so it is important to do your best, write with heart, proof, proof, proof and submit! Please follow the general submission guidelines on the website for formatting and submit through the queryus@thewildrosepress.com. Important: Use the subject line: TWRP Honky Tonk Hearts Submission: YOUR TITLEFor questions please feel free to email Stacy D. Holmes, Senior Editor of Yellow Rose, at http://ca.mc1203.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=stacy@thewildrosepress.com Authors can join our Yahoo loop for more information on submission and content: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/twrphonkytonkhearts/ Background Information: The Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk: A few miles outside Amarillo off historical Route 66, the large wood-paneled structure boast a large neon star with a single flashing steer riding away from it. Inside, a long bar runs the length of the back wall, a dance floor takes up a large chunk of space with old round tables filling most of the rest and two pool tables tucked in the back corner. A small stage hosts Open-Mike Nights on Sundays, Karaoke Thursdays and a booked band most Saturday nights with the other nights filled in with a big old jukebox or the DJ. The establishment offers food when the kitchen is staffed, but the Lonesome Steer can never seem to keep cooks too long and waitresses come and go—Gus is always ready to lend a hand when someone comes in down on their luck. Gus Rankin: His hair is more grey than dark brown these days and a handlebar moustache sits prominently on a face tanned and weathered by the Texas sun.Tall, broad and still in good shape although a bit of a belly hangs over the buckle of his faded blue jeans, you can usually find him wearing his favorite black leather vest with a light denim shirt beneath. Though he prefers to man the bar, every once in a while he sneaks back to his messy office, takes a break in the rickety, torn leather chair and props his feet on his desk as he smiles at the bulletin board filled with pictures from couples that have tossed aside their lonesome hearts to take a chance on love. Keira Rankin: Gus's daughter works at the honky tonk alongside her father. She keeps the books, waitresses and does a little Karaoke when the stage gets quiet on Thursday nights. With long blonde hair, soft doe eyes and heart-shape face, she's the spitting image of her mother, Gus's one and only true love who died ten years ago when Keira was fourteen. Marshall Dekes: This part-time bartender/DJ is a good old boy with a bit of a past. Tall, dark and handsome, he keeps to himself but is there whenever Gus needs work done around the place. Important Note: The above-mentioned characters are to be used as "mentions only" and not as main or important secondary characters. These established characters are spoken for and will be used to finish the series when the time comes. Use them to create atmosphere and realism in your scenes at the Lonesome Steer, but then leave them there LOL. Stacy D. Holmes Senior Editor, Yellow Rose Newsletter Coordinator The Wild Rose Press